Gurugram CJM seeks report on treatment of EWS patients

Gurugram: The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Gurugram has sought a report from Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) on private hospitals reportedly denying treatment to patients belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS).

Despite being offered subsidised land by HUDA, on the assurance of reserving 20 per cent of their beds for the poor, most private hospitals have failed to keep their end of the bargain.

The issue of the management of private hospitals abdicating their responsibility was also raised by Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, while demanding the suspension of license of Fortis Hospital.

Recently, HUDA had served notices to various hospitals for not admitting EWS patients. In addition to the numerous allegations of medical negligence levelled against top private hospitals in Gurugram, another damning report, based on an RTI query, revealed that over 224 private clinics in the district were being operated by quacks.

Keeping these issues in mind, the Haryana government wishes to bring introduce the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act Bill. However, the Bill has not found an easy passage, with private doctors expressing displeasure over the law.